Along the stream ‘Dienerbeek’, Hengelo
A closed competition was held to give a former school building and its outdoor space a valuable future. The ambition of our team was to preserve the cultural-historical and architectural qualities of the existing building and to strengthen, open up, expand and green the ensemble as a whole. Air, light, space and greenery should be restored to the ensemble.
The existing ensemble of buildings with a modern addition provides space for new homes, but also two guest houses and a day-care centre. In the existing gymnasium, H.G.V. (the local sports and exercise association) wanted to focus on versatile exercise combined with outdoor sports. Inside is the possibility to create an inviting sports set-up that encourages multifaceted movement. Outside, there is fixed play equipment that links to versatile movement for young and old. These equipment can be used by everyone, even when walking or jogging along the stream.
The ingredients for a pleasant living environment in the former school with its special courtyard are all within reach. The municipality and the water board have great plans for the local stream ‘Drienerbeek’, which we are building on with the landscape design. Along with the valuable beautiful trees around the building an excellent start for a green environment.
Read MoreWith the inspiration of Mien Ruys, the history of the old drawing from 1963 and the input of the new plans, we as landscape architects set to work. The result is a diverse design, for all future users, distinguishing between an active area and a quiet area.
The pergola on the Oldenzaalsestraat will be actively used again as an entrance and redesigned to form the entrance to the exercise room. The inner courtyard is a quiet area where the residents mainly come. The old pond returns to exactly the same spot and retains its clean shape. The garden refers to the original natural mixed borders and will contain more cultivated plants and trees, as a nice contrast to the nature along the stream. This quiet area will have flowers and plants with more white and blue colours that help to calm down.
Changes in the climate mean we have to deal with increasingly extreme weather conditions. By allowing the water to infiltrate and gradually drain in stages into the gardens, pond and stream, we create a building and environment that can withstand extreme weather conditions. Applying indigenous native plant material and nest boxes for birds and bats will also increase biodiversity in this area and its surroundings. In this way, the old school building will literally create a new life for people and nature!
Project
Along the stream ‘Dienerbeek’, Hengelo
Year
2024
Client
HK² projectontwikkeling
Collaboration
Elephant, Eelerwoude, BAZ bouwkundig advies, Het Oversticht, Matrix installatie adviseurs, The Virtual Dutch Men
Area
6350 m2
Competition
4th place with highest plan rating
Location
Hengelo
